“Where have all the good guys gone?” seems to be a question asked both outside and sadly, inside the church. As Christians, our standard of goodness is God (Nahum 1:7), and while no man is perfect but Jesus (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22), there are many brothers who faithfully emulate Him. It can be hard to see them as outrage culture rightfully reacts to the sins and shortcomings of spiritual leaders. To some degree, I find this healthy.
Righteous anger over image bearers being harmed is good as it reflects the heart of God (Psalm 103:6). Abuse of any kind to an image bearer is never acceptable and we must expend every effort to guard against it. While sin and shortcomings from spiritual leaders rightly receive our rapt attention, my heart has been helped by also considering the good guys.
Truly good guys, guys who are redeemed by Jesus and live for Him, are at church. They honor Christ by being faithful members of His body inside the church and outside of it. Not just on Sunday mornings but every day of the week, every hour of the day as they live as those redeemed. They’re living lives of ordinary faithfulness. They’re confessing and repenting of their sin (1 John 1:9). They’re on their knees in the wee hours of the morning, seen only by God. They’re making minor repairs around the home. They’re changing diapers and enduring the painful sounds of Cocomelon in the background as they spend time with Jesus.
The good guys are unloading the dishwasher and folding laundry. They’re taking their kids out so their wives can have a small break. They’re getting dinner started. They’re playing endless rounds of Sharks and Minnows out of exhaustion because there’s nothing like seeing the sheer delight it brings their kids. They’re working 9 to 5s and overtime and overnight, sometimes away from home.
They’re going to school. They’re reading Scripture to kids who seem disinterested and wondering if the seeds they’re planting will yield a harvest. They’re living lives that won’t get clicks or views or go viral. They’re unlearning, relearning, learning, and healing. They’re putting off childish ways and growing up in every way (1 Corinthians 13: 11, Ephesians 4:15).
The good guys are treating women like sisters in all purity (1 Timothy 5:2), and as coheirs of Christ and colaborers in the Great Commission — not as objects and/or threats and/or second class citizens. They’re working out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), not perfectly but progressively. They’re not only considering how they can avoid sin, they’re running hard after holiness (Leviticus 11:45, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:5-14).
They’re the first to sacrifice when the occasion presents itself. They’re protecting women from harmful men. They’re feeling weak and discouraged, yet hopeful as they bear various burdens. They’re parenting challenging children. They’re relying on the Spirit for humility and heart change. They’re admitting when they are wrong. They’re accepting accountability. They’re fighting the good fight (1 Timothy 6:12).
They’re laboring over their local church in prayer and practice. They’re feeling the weight of what it means to lay one’s life down the way Jesus did and does for His bride. They’re feeling discouraged about the same injustices I see and deeply saddened about how they dishonor Christ and mar His bride. They’re in our churches, homes, offices, coffee shops, grocery stores, libraries, and local businesses. Good guys often seem few and far between yet they’re all around us if we’re willing to look. Lord, please give us eyes to see them.
